In less than 72 hours I have done the most amount of boundary work in my life. The story starts in 2015 (5 years ago) when I read Dr Henry Cloud and Dr John Townsend’s book, “Boundaries”. At the time, my 24-year-old self was trying to figure things out after being involved with two men consecutively and feeling as though I gave more than my all but received nothing in return. That book changed my life, but half a decade later I found myself feeling like the transformation it had brought needed an overhaul. And knowing how hard the first round of “doing the work” was based on what I learnt from ..read more

Coming from a region where institutionalized racial segregation is a legacy of colonialism, I have no kind words for racism in whatever form. I consider the Black Lives Matter movement as an important and necessary moment in history where people of colour can again stand up and challenge racial injustice. Over the past few months following the killing of George Floyd in the United States, I have seen quite a lot of debate around the role of the Christian Church in confronting social injustice.  It has been refreshing to hear prominent voices in clergy and laity agreeing that fig ..read more

Steffi & Jesse Hi bAw Fam   How are you holding up in this season? I hope it’s been mostly good considering the circumstances we find ourselves in with the coronavirus. My team and I have faced some really rough patches personally and in this ministry in this season: from anxiety to unbearable work setups, and doubting God in some instances. And in doing so, and feeling overwhelmingly discouraged, we have come to the revelation that this season is about practicing intense kindness to self. I hope you are or will continue to do the same with yourself.   So today, we wanted to shar ..read more

Photo Cred: Black Enterprise online   So apparently, we’re in month 6 of the year. Is it just me or does each month feel more intense than the last? Or the feeling that time is flying, and you can’t quite get a grip of all that’s happening around you. Or just a general out of control feeling? Even when you try to do all the “self-care” we’re encouraged to. Maybe it’s just me.   Here at team bAw, in as much as we’ve had a plan on paper for the year, 2019 has individually thrown us some interesting curve balls. These curve balls have had us asking ourselves some tough questions.   ..read more

Happy Wednesday!   I hope the month of March has been good to you so far. I must say on my end it’s been generally good with random incidences like wasps and spiders at my place (shivers). Nevertheless, I keep reminding God that He promised that He’s my Husband while I’m single and needs to take care of things like bug termination cause your gurl just can’t! Lol!   Anyhoo, back to matters at hand ..read more

Photo Cred: Etsy online This month, as many around the world celebrate the month of love, the question often arises as to how a b.a.w  (black African woman) can balance the competing cultures she finds herself in.  We are fed many images of romance from the books and magazines we read; our favourite Shonda Rhimes shows; and the music we listen to.   And then you meet your person. You’re in a committed relationship and  you then look to ‘make things official’ – that’s when the fun stuff begins.   Quick disclaimer: these are sweeping generalizations. This is not to ..read more

Photo Cred: Pinterest Today is the final instalment of our three-part fictional series on Nosi, a young married woman struggling with the resentment she has developed after losing a baby and the love in her marriage.   In our last post, she had begun her journey to healing yet she still felt empty and lost. Find out how her story ends as she seeks out God in this difficult season of her life. After a long five weeks of trying to keep up the façade for her husband, Nosi finds herself exhausted. Her heart is heavy and she feels like she is carrying a boulder on her small framed shoulders. S ..read more

Photo Cred: Lesego Seoketsa Today’s post is fictional but it certainly touches on issues that young black African women are facing even as Christians: Sex outside of marriage. Miscarriages. Merely existing in their marriages. Read on and catch a glimpse into the world of someone you may know but are not aware is dealing with issues that lead to resentment.   She sat up, turned to the left, staring at him in disgust while the truck-like snoring kept her up. ‘Ugh, come on man…’ she says softly to herself while getting up to go to the bathroom for a drink of water. She looks in the mirror wi ..read more

Photo Cred: Pinterest   Hi fam   The month of November has the world focused on activism against abuse and violence in our society. We at bAw chose to focus on this topic as well, but we chose to offer insights into it from the parties to abuse that are rarely ever heard from. One of those is the children who grow up in an abusive home/environment.   So you know the option you get on Facebook for putting up a relationship status that states, “It’s Complicated”? Today’s post provides a personal experience on this type of relationship status, but the only thing is it’s not about a ..read more

Photo Cred: Pinterest   Hi fam   This month, we have been focused on mental health and sisterhood – how our friendships form part of us cultivating a healthier mindset. Today’s post is by one of our bAw team members and she provides 6 important qualities of a good friend. Enjoy!     I don’t know about you but 2018 has been real and what has kept me sane is my tribe. These are my sister-friends who God placed in my life because He knew I’d need them. Funnily enough I have come to appreciate this more as I get older. God saw it fit that I only have biological brothers – who a ..read more